Beginning last week, a unique collection of films concerning environmental issues kicked off the environmental film series.
The collection of six films is sponsored by the Environmental Studies minor and the student group Initiative for Clean Energy (ICE) in cooperation with the Southern Appalachian Independent Film Festival (SOAPIFF).
These documentary films could be seen as “educational entertainment,” but they are talking about very serious issues.
Dr. Kevin O’Donnell, an associate professor of English and head of the Environmental Studies Minor, noted the importance of students talking more about key environmental issues.
O’Donnell also commented on the top-notch job that ICE has been doing not only in getting students out to the eco-films, but also getting the student body interested and discussion the environmental problems that we all face in this century, let alone in this decade. Addressing nuclear energy is how this film series got kicked off, with the first-time regional screening of “The Nuclear Comeback.”
This film looked at the whether nuclear energy is feasible and environmentally safe to become a “green” alternative energy source. As O’Donnell said, “There has not been a serious discussion about the nuclear program” in this country and even in this state. Tennessee has a large nuclear energy facility and should be a key discussion for the state’s residents.
O’Donnell also commented on the amount of time it takes to shut down a nuclear facility when he discussed the first facility in England which stayed opened for 47 years, but will take 120 years to decommission.
The second film, “Woven Ways,” which looks at the Navajo and the negative effects on coal pollution and uranium mining has had on their local environment and their people, also drew around 45 viewers.
The third film, “Burning the Future: Coal in America, “addresses the environmental devastation from the coal mining practice of mountaintop removal mining, was viewed Wednesday, Oct. 29.
There are three more films open to the student body in this environmental film series. On Monday, Nov. 3, there will be a screening of “Everythinag’s Cool,” which chronicles scientists, journalists and activists who struggle to inform the public and the government of the threat of global warming. O’Donnell said he is most excited about this film because it is not a straight documentary style and adds some humor into a serious topic. He said, “it is a fun, interesting film on global warming, if you can think of that.”
The last two films are “Renewal,” showing Wednesday, Nov. 5, and “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil,” showing Tuesday, Nov. 11. The first film focuses on religious inspired environmental movements. The latter film is addresses how the nation of Cuba survived the dramatic loss of their oil imports by turning to practical means.
All films are being screened in the Brown Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. on the specified date. Any students who missed or will miss these screenings, five out of six of these films will be screened again on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2-9 p.m. in Rogers-Stout Hall Room 102. These all day screenings will be a part of the SOAPIFF.

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